Family Fun

Time and time again, visitors are delightfully surprised by what Columbia has to offer. From picturesque parks and clever cuisine to amazing art and superb shopping, visitors find Columbia is ‘more than a college town’ and ‘surprisingly sophisticated.’ We like to think of Columbia as a cool neighborhood in a big city, with a young vibe, an active buzz and ... Read More »

Editor’s note: Writer Tom Uhlenbrock has spent a lot of time on Missouri’s floatable rivers and streams. Here, he outlines 10 trips you might consider for your Missouri float-trip experience. The list features destinations in the Ozarks, with a few lodging choices. Anglers may prefer other rivers like the Big Piney or Gasconade for fishing, although the cold, clear floating ... Read More »

Canon shots, wickets, Chernobyl, Irish Peel? Yep, it’s just a normal day at Kactus Creek Croquet Club in Platte County. With warmer temperatures, it’s time to start thinking about golf … or should I say golf croquet! When visitors arrive at the Welcome Center in the Platte County Resource Center, they invariably ask “What’s there to do in Platte County?” ... Read More »

Missouri Division of Tourism staff photographer @Ben2Mo recently returned from Silver Dollar City in Branson, where he was among the first to ride the theme park’s new Outlaw Run roller coaster. To see how he experienced the coaster, watch the video and pay close attention to his facial expressions. When Ben regained full use of his faculties, we sat down for ... Read More »

With snow on the ground and a chill in the air, signs of spring and warmer temperatures are still few and far between in Platte City. However, there is a place that will rocket you straight to the hottest days in August – Jray’s Restaurant – more specifically, owner Jeremy Ray, and his Solar Flare Mac & Cheese! Want to ... Read More »

Tell someone who knows Jefferson City you’re planning a visit there and you might be surprised at the most frequently asked question about your trip. Not “Have you taken the tour at the Missouri State Penitentiary?” Not “Think you might ride the Katy Trail?” Not even “Are you going to check out the Capitol?” Nope, it’s likely you’ll be asked, ... Read More »

You want to take a trip to Branson, but it’s the middle of winter and most live performers are on their annual break. So, there’s nothing to do there, right? Wrong. Branson offers plenty of things to do year-round, even during the winter months when the majority of live shows are on hiatus. What can you do? Well, you could ... Read More »

Branson, located in the Southwest Missouri Ozarks, is one of America’s favorite vacation destinations. The family friendly shows and entertainment options, beautiful scenery and lakes, as well as the Missouri hospitality, draw nearly 8 million people each year to our little town. TripAdvisor, USA Today, the Associated Press and others have called Branson one of the best places in America ... Read More »

“New Year’s Day–Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual. Yesterday, everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink, and swore his last oath. Today, we are a pious and exemplary community.” – Mark Twain I hate New Year’s Resolutions. Maybe it’s the focus ... Read More »

The most renowned storytellers in the business have passed through Southeast Missouri while performing at storytelling events in Cape Girardeau during the last five years. Their stories are famous among devoted fans of the art form, but it’s the tales that center around the storytelling events here in Cape Girardeau that resonate with me. Here’s a quick story about the ... Read More »